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The city was based upon trade and lay on sandy islands in swampy terrain, making use of canals that doubled as open sewers, often causing a stench problem in warm periods, but preventing the water from freezing during the cold periods. Open areas of solid ground were a rarity here. In 1368 DR, the population was as high as 46,000, but was reduced to around 36,000 in 1372 DR. The population swelled by up to twenty percent each year during the fishing season.[2][6] Marsember was often shrouded in mist.[5] The individual islands making up much of Marsember had many local names. Amongst them were Sharmran Isle, also known as Fishgut Rock, and Antanmaran's Isle, whose shape led to the name the Prow.[9]

The main trade in Marsember was spices (giving it the alternate name "City of Spices") and the local merchant companies traveled great distances to acquire these substances. The trade fell off in the years up to 1370 DR.[8] The fish trade was large, with fish being caught in the Lake of Dragons. The port was a builder of ships and Maerun Stoutbold had a large shipbuilding facility here. The Six Coffers Market Priakos was based here.[1] Mustard produced in the uplands of Cormyr was exported in Marsember. Furniture with curved edges and coiled legs, the Marsembian style, and perfumes, were produced here.[8]

All mages entering the city had to register with Ildool or Bledrin Scoril before sundown.[10] Buildings had to be constructed from stone and covered with stucco that had to be replaced whenever deemed necessary by a local inspector. Cedar or slate had to be used for roofing.[11]

The sandy islands on which Marsember was built were all connected with bridges, but transport via skiff was common, and they served as status symbols.[1] The Sea Snake and Thomdor's Fist, two war caravels, were based in Marsember.[12]

It was common to wear boots covering the entire leg as well as cloaks and gloves. Dancing was a popular leisure activity.[13]

There are many local stories of monsters that lived in the marshes surrounding Marsember. Will-o'-wisps were reported to extinguish, then pose as lamps in order to lead people astray into the bogs. Legends also surrounded those who drowned in the mouth of the Starwater River, allegedly rising as undead. One of Gondegal's boats sank in the mouth of the river, full of gold, and the corpse of Sissra was floated with much treasure on a blazing riverboat before it sank.[9]

A festival to celebrate the breaking of the ice after the cold season. The first ship into the port does not have to pay docking fees for the rest of the year, so this was a hotly contested prize. The celebration lasted a full day and the following night.[15]

Crypts and cellars in Marsember were damp at all times and flooded regularly. For this reason, burials were conducted upland, where the ground was both elevated and dry. However, this form of burial was limited to those who possessed the funds necessary to pay for the construction of crypts and mausoleums resistant to desecration, robbery and those wishing to bury their own dead inside without permission.

Those who could not afford inland burials had the option of utilizing dead barge cremations. A service provided by Marsemban city officials, dead barge cremations involved amassing corpses on a flat-bottomed boat that was set on fire after first being towed out onto the Dragonmere.[16]

Ayesunder Truesilver was the Warden of the Port and was responsible for the twelve ships (with around 2,200 crew) from the Imperial Navy that were stationed in Marsember. These ships regularly patrolled the Neck, the area of the Dragonmere known for piracy. About 250 new naval crew were recruited each year, using old galleons, including Ansiber's Wrath.[12] There were 3000 Purple Dragons garrisoned here, who were required to learn how to swim, and wear only leather armor with metal helmets to prevent accidental drownings. They patrolled the city on skiffs and also acted as customs agents.[1][2] Every few years the soldiers in Marsember were rotated to cut down on corruption.[5]

Marsember was originally founded on the Marsember Marsh by smugglers and pirates.[22][15] Its expansion was attributable to the ease with which goods could be transported north up the Starwater River, which made it an excellent site for a port.[11] In 6 DR, it was little more than a marshy port settlement.[23] By 26 DR, there were rumours that Marsember was hit by a plague or a sea monster, causing more trade to head to nearby Suzail.[24] By 376 DR, Marsember had been abandoned twice.[25] It lay in ruins at this time and was used regularly by pirates, but hired adventurers periodically cleared them out.[26]

Some time between 376 DR and 432 DR, merchants from Marsember spread a plague to the rest of Cormyr, infecting many in Suzail.[27]

Beginning during the reign of King Palaghard II, Marsember has paid for quarry rubble from mines near Tyrluk to be dumped on the seaward side of the sandy islands of which much of the city is comprised, to prevent them being swept into the sea.[15]

In 1188 DR Marsember was a nominally independent city-state and was sought by Sembia. A Sembian acquisition was favoured by Marsemban merchants, but not by the nobility in the city, because its independence made it a good place to conduct affairs away from the scrutiny of the Cormyrean population.[28] The Sembians withdrew their attempt to seize Marsember after an assassination attempt on King Pryntaler Obarskyr failed.[29]